Spring suspension for motor-vehicles



E. A. NELSON. SPRING SUSPENSION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

, I APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26'. 1920. Reissued May 11, 1920.

INVEN TOR.

lUNITED STATES PATENT onnrcu.

EMIL A. NELSON, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, nssrenon '10 MARTIN JURIST, orTOLEDO,

SPRING- SUSPENSIO'N FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

Specification of Reissued Letters Patent. Reissued Diary 11, 1920.

Original No 1,254,928, dated January 29, 1918, Serial No. 877,654,filedDecember 17, 1914. Application for reissue filed January 26, 1920.Serial No. 354,206.

" To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL A. NELSON, a citizen of the-United States ofAmerica residing at Detroit, in the county of \Vayne and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SpringSuspensions for Motor-Vehicles, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

y This invention relates to a spring suspension particularly designedfor motor vehicles, and the primary object of my inventionis to providea simple and inexpensive construction wherein a vehicle body orframesupported or suspended in accordance with this invention will becushioned against excessive movements in both lateral and verticaldirections relative to a chassis.

Another'object of this invention is to provide a spring suspension orsystem embodying springs of the cantaliver type constructed and arrangedto prevent the tran's-' mission of vibrations to the vehicle frame orbody 'from the axles or running gearthereof and to resist rebound uponheavy fiexure of the spring in certain. directions as suggested orapparent herefrom.

In attaining the above and other objects apparent from the disclosurehereof, the

fspring suspensions have been constructed with a view of reducing the.cost. of manufacture and at the same time of retaining the featureswhereby road worthiness, safety, simplicity and ease of fabrication aresecured. With these and other ends in view, my invention resides in thenovel construction to be hereinafter specifically described and thenclaimed.

Reference will now be had to the ings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan viewof a motor vehicle chassis provided with a spring construction embodyingthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same; and

Fig. 3 a front end elevation.

In th drawings the reference numeral 1 denotes a frame or body of anysuitable construction having side members as shown and connected to thefront end thereof is a cross drawspring 9 of the semi-elliptic" typeformed with involute coils or springs at its ends, the innermostconvolution of each of which is mounted to turn upon a pin or bearingmemr ber secured between parallel ears 10-on the upper ends of, steeringknuckles 11 carrying the front steering wheels 12. The knuckles 11 areconnected in any suitable manner to the non-turning front axle 13 shownand the spring is rigidly secured intermediate its ends to the front endof the frame by a clip .14 or other suitable means.

The involute coils at the ends of the spring 9 each comprises aplurality of con volutions closely assembled and capble of distentionand retraction the winding and unwinding of the convolutions retardingvarious movements of the frame 1 and absorbing the vibrations of theaxle, prevent ing their transmission to the frame or body of the vehicleand also tending to prevent rebound of the springs under extremeflexure. In a like manner lateral movement of theframe 1 in eitherdirection is yieldingly resisted by the involute ends of the spring totheir support to permit said springs to. straighten out or expand underload.

To hold the front axle in proper transverse relation to the frame, theusual radius or brace rods are dispensed with and spring members 15substituted therefor, these members each comprising a quarter ellipticor inverted single arm cantaliver leaf spring with a convolute end orcoil. The rigid end of each spring .15 is rigidly secured by means of abracket or yoke 16 to one side of the frame 1 or to any suitable memberconnected thereto, and extends forwardly there,- from to a pointadjacent the front axle where its convolute end is pivotally attached tothe axle by means of a pivot pin or .bolt

'17 passing through suitable bearing ears l8 end or knuckle thereof aspracticable to better brace the axle and at the same time permit thewheel to turn with the necessary radius of movement upon the knuckles insteering the vehicle. a

By substituting these springs 15 for the radius rods commonlyemployed-to hold the axle, the necessity for universal joints isobviated due to the yield of the springs and their end coils, and saidsprings also serve to assist in' supporting the load. The slighttwisting strain which will he put upon these springs when the axle istilted by the passing of one wheel over an obstruction, is taken by tl ecoils which are free to yield laterally.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the rear end of the frame 1 is shown as supported uponcantaliver springs 19 each comprising a leaf spring body portion havingconvolute ends, the body being pivotally attached to the frame by meansof a stud 20 in the usual manner and the forward convolute end, by meansof a stud 21 on the frame. The rear convolute end of each spring isattached to the rear axle casing 8, preferably, by providing a sleeve 22to turn on the casing and forming the eye of the coil. The convoluteends of the cantaliver,spring thus form convenient means for yieldinglyand pivotally attaching said ends to the frame and axle.

Obviously the spring embodying the invention may be embodied in otherarrangements of spring suspension. the system disclosed having obviousadvantages to those skilled in'the art, and other changes in the form orconstruction of said spring may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention. I do not therefore limit myself to the form.construction or arrange ment shown.

\Vhat I .claim is:

l. A new article of manufacture. co1npris ing a cantaliver spring havinginvolute ends, means for pivotally attaching said spring intermediateits ends to a member to he supported thereby, said nn-mbcr bcing so lorated as to provide a spring with a long and a short arm, means forconnecting the in- "olute end of the short arm of said spring to saidmember to be supported, and .means for connecting the involute end ofthe long arm. of said member to a supporting m em ber. r

2. The combination with a. vehicle frame and running gear therefor. ofcantaliver ring having involute ends, means on the frame for pivotallyconnecting the spring intermediate the ends thereof to said frame at'apoint to provide a long arm at one end of the spring and a short arm atthe opposite end, rigid means for attaching the eye of the involuteendof the short arm of the spring to said frame, and rigid means forconnecting the eye of the involute end of the long arm of the spring toa member of the running gear.

3. For automotive vehicles having a vehicle frame and running gearincluding a front axle, wheels pivoted thereto, and a rear axle, saidvehicle frame having longitudinally spaced side members extending abovesaid axles, a flexible cantaliver spring system for yieldinglydistancing and supporting said frame on said front and rear axles,including a pair of cantaliver springs, one located outside eachsidemember and connected to said side member-adjacent be the rear thereof,and to the outside thereof, the free ends of said springs .beingconnected .to .said rear axle and a pair of cantaliver multiple leafsprings connected at their rigid ends to the outside face of said sidemembers adjacent to the front end thereof, extending forwardly at anangle to said side Al. In an automobile in combination, a

front axle, a rear axle, a vehicle frame having side members extendingover said axles, and a spring construction for supporting and distancingsaid frame on said axles comprising cantaliver springs for supportingeach of said side members on said rear axle and a pair of cantaliverflexible brace rods and supporting springs, extending from said frame tosaid front axle and located entirely above said front axle, said last.mentioned springs connected at their rigid ends to the f 'ame adjacentto the front thereof and located at a horizontal angle thereto, saidsprings connected at their movable ends to and on top of said front axleat fixed points, adjacent to the respective extremities of'said axle.

5. In anautomobile, a front axle, a driven rear axle, and a housingtherefor, a motor vehicle frame, a spring system between'the frame andaxles including a pair of cantaliver springs connected at one end to andoutside of the frame and rotatably connccted to said rear axle housingadjacent the rear wheels, and a pair of flexible brace and supportingsprings rigidly connected to said frame and pivotally llttilCllGLl'tOsaid front axle. said springs diverging from said frame to said axlcadjacent either extremity thereof to provide a broad supporting basethere for and brace said axle.

(3. For automotive vehicles having a front flexible cantaliver springsystem for yield- .motor vehicle frame ihaving side bar members,

adjacent said of said springs being frontaxle,

' rear axle, said vehicle turnin g front axle,

ingly distancing and supporting said frame on said front and rear axles,including a pair of forwardly diverging cantaliver multiple leaf springsconnected at. their rigid ends to the outside face' of said side membersadjacent the front end thereof, the movable ends operatively associatedwith said front axle adjacent the respective extremities thereof, andcantaliver springs connected to said side members adjacent the rear endsthereof and on the outside thereof.

.the movable ends of said last mentioned springs being operativelyassociated with said rear axle.

,7. For automotive vehicles having a vehicle frame and running gear,including a wheels pivoted thereto, and a frame tudinally extended sidemembers located above said axle, a cantaliver spring system foryieldingly distancing and supporting said frame on said front and rearaxles, including a pair of cantaliver multiple leaf springs connectingthe rear portion of said frame with said rear axle and a pair ofmultiple leaf single arm cantaliver springs connected to said sidemembers adjacent the front of said frame on opposite outside facesthereof, said last mentioned springs diverging to said front axle closeto the respective ends thereof, each of said last mentioned springslocated above said front axle, certain of the leaves thereof pivoted atthe free ends of the spring in rigid fixed positions on said axle.

8. In an automobiie, a front axle having front wheels pivoted thereto, adriving rear axle and rear wheels, an axle housing, a longitudinal aspring system between said frame and axles including a rear pair ofcantaliver springs, oneconnected to each side bar member, outside'theframe and rotatively connected on said rear axle housing adjacent to therear wheel and a front pair of forwardly diverging flexible brace andsupporting springs, each side bar member on the outside thereof andoperatively attached to said front axle front wheels to provide aroadworthy spring system substantially as set forth.

9. For automotive vehicles having a nonwheels pivoted thereto, a ar axleand a vehicle frame having longitudinally spaced side members, aflexible cantaliver spring system foryieldingly distancing andsupporting said frame from said front and rear axles, including a pairof cantaliver multiple leaf springs connected at their rigid ends to theoutside face of said having longione rigidly connected toside membersand adjacent the front end thereof, the movable ends of said springsbeing operatively associated with said front axle adjacent eachextremity thereof, 'sai pair of springs diverging from said frame tosaid axle, and cantaliver springs connected to said sidebars adjacentthe rear ends thereof and on the outside thereof, the movable endsofsaid last mentioned springs being operatively associatedwith said rearax e.

10. For automotive vehicles having a non turning front axle, wheelspivoted thereto, a rear axle and avehicle frame having side barsextending above and adjacent said axles, a flexible cantaliver springsupporting system between each side bar and said front and rear axlesincluding a pair of cantaliver single arm multiple leaf springsconnected at their rigid ends to the side bars of the vehicle frameadjacent the front end thereof, the operative ends of said springs beingflexingly connected to said frontaxle, said springs being located at anangle to the sides of the frame and cantaliver springs connected to saidside bars adjacent the rear end thereof and at their operative endsmovably connected to the rear axle.

11.1n an automotive vehicle having .a-

operative ends with the front axle; the pair being located at divergingangles to connect the sides of the frame to the axle adjacent the wheelpivots. 1

12. In an automotive vehicle, a non-turning front axle, pivoted frontwheels, a vehicle frame having side bar members, a

single arm multiple leaf bracket yoke attached to eachaside bar memheradjacent the front end thereof and a pair of single arm multiple leafsprings connected at their rigid ends to the side bar members throughsaid bracket yokes and diverging from the frame to the axle, theoperative ends of said springs being operatively connected to said axleadjacent the wheel pivots by means fixed to said front axle to give abroad supporting base to said frame and at the same time permit saidwheel to turn.

13. In an automotive vehicle having a frame, a non-turni g front axle,and pivoted front wheels, a spring suspension in cluding a pair ofsingle arm multiple leaf springs connected at their rigid ends tobrackets carried by the sides of the frame and at their operative endswith the front axle, said springs being located at divergent angles tothe longitudinal axis of the vee hicle with their ends connected to saidaxle by fixed pivots near the pivotal point for the Wheel to brace theaxle as set forth and permit the Wheels to turn.

14. In an automobile in combination, a front axle, a rear axle, avehicle frame having frame members extending above said axles, and aspring construction for yieldingly carrying said frame on said axles andsupporting thesann against excessive movenient, comprising ca taliversprings parallel ,to the longitudinal xis of the vehicle frame forsupporting said frame members to said rear axle and a pair of cantaliversupporting springs and flexible brace rods connected at their rigid endsto theframe adjacent the front end thereof and located at an angle tothe longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame, said last mentioned springsbeing connected at fixed points to said front axle at their movable endsadjacent either extremity of said axle.

15. In a motor vehicle, a front axle, a rear axle, a frame adapted tocarry a body and power plant, said axles and frame being arranged andmaintained at substantially right angles, and a spring suspensionconnecting said frame to said axles, including a pair of 'multiple leafcantaliver springs of varying leaf length connecting the frame to therear axle, and a second pair of multiple leaf cantaliver springs ofvarying leaf lengths, one spring of said latter pair rigidly connectedto one side of the frame, and the other to the other side thereof, saidsprings being located to form horizontal; and vertical angles relativeto the sides of the frame, said springs diverging outwardly andoperatively connected to said front axle adjacent each extremitythereof, certain of the springs being constructed and arranged.

to allow slight longitudinal movement be tween the body and axle towhich they are secured irrespective of any relative vertical movementbetween said body and axle.

16. In a motorvehicle, a front axle, a frame adapted to carry a body andpower plant, said axle and frame arranged and maintained atsubstantially right angles and a spring-suspension connecting said frameto said axle including, a pair of springs, one spring rigidly connectedon the outside of the frame on one s ide of the l gitudinal axis and theother spring rigidly connected on the outside of the other side of theframe, on the other side of,- said axis, said springs being located'toform horizontal and vertical angles relative to the axis of the frame,said springs diverging out- Wardly and located entirely above said axleand operatively connected thereto, adjacent each extremity thereof atfixed. points on the upper side of said axle.

17. In an automobile having a front axle,

a rear axle, Wheels supporting said axles and the vehicle frame, aspring construction for yieldingly supporting and bracing said I framerelative to said axles against exces- EMIL A. NELSON.

